Adjustable envelope fastener



March 5, 1940.- wn.. FRITZ ADJUSTABL ENVELOPE FASTENER Filed Oct. 4, 1937 ,1l-f, ESB

IN V EN TO A TTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 5, 1940 ADJUSTABLE ENVELOPE FASTENER William Day Fritz, St. Paul, Minn., assignor of one-half to Quality Park Envelope Co., St. Paul, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application October 4, 1937, Serial No. 167,215

11 Claims.

My invention relates to an improvement in an adjustable snap folder closure designed to hold the cover of a rile or wallet, or other similar device in closed position.

Files of the general type of the present application have been formed for a great number of years and are widely used to contain papers or other documents. These files are ordinarily constructed with gusset portions between the front and back portions of the file to enable the file to assume the proper thickness to accommodate the papers contained therein.

The cover flap is usually provided with a series of parallel score lines so that the cover may fold in the proper position, depending upon the thick'- ness of the le. Because of the fact that the files vary considerably in thickness, the cover overlaps the front surface of the file a greater or lesser degree. it has therefore been difficult to provide a snap closure of any known type because if such a closure were secured in position to hold the flap closed .when there were few papers in the file, this closure would be in the wrong place when the thickness of the le was increased. It has therefore been customary practice to `hold such folders closed by tapes or cords which encircle the folder and tie the same in closed position.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a snap closure for folders or the like, which may be used to hold the cover flap of the folder in closed position regardless of the thickness of the file. This I accomplish by mounting the snap closure adjustably on the front of the file so that the position of the snap closure may be moved as the thickness of the le is increased or decreased.

It is a feature of my invention to provide a slide which is attached to the front of a file or folder and in which may be slidably mounted a snap closing device. This device cooperates with the slidable member in such a way that the closure device is held in adjusted position by spring tension when the folder is closed. The spring tension on the snap closure is released when the closure is in open position, permitting ready adjustment of the device within the slide instantaneously.

It is a purpose of `the present invention to provide a closing device which will engage the cover flap of a folder or the like, and which when in position to engage this flap may be readily moved from one position to another. By'this construction, the position of the closure device is adjusted as the cover flap engages the closure device automatically positioning the device proper. As the cover flap is secured closed by operation of the snap closure the closure automatically locks in said position and cannot be moved in the slide until the closure is again moved into open' posil' tion.

These and other objects and novel features of my invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawing forming a part of my specification: y

Figure l is a front elevation view of a folder, showing my snap closure in closed position.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional View on an enlarged scale through the closure and taken on aline indicated by the line 2--2 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, illustrating the snap closure in closed position,

Figure 4 is a plan View of the closure illustrating the arrangement of the parts thereof.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the slide for the snap closure, with the snap closure removed.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one portion of the snap closure.

Figure '7 Iis a perspective View of the snap closure.

Figure 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view similar to Figure 3, with parts broken away, but .f i

illustrating a slightly different form of snap closure.

Figure 9 is a View similar to Figure 3, illustrating a slightly modified form. of construction.

'I'he file or folder A is of any common type of construction, having a body portion Ill and a cover portion II attached thereto. Score lines l2 are provided at the connection between the cover II and the body portion I0 to enable the cover II to fold along any one of a number of parallel 4This slide in preferred form comprises a base I6 having a pair of spaced inwardly turned opposed side flanges I1 extending longitudinally thereof.

As illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 5 of the drawing, the ends I9 of these flanges Il are bent down adjacent the base Iii in order to close the ends of the flanges l1.

In order toi secure the slide I3 in place, I provide anchoring ends 20 bent downwardly from the base I6 at the ends of the slide I3 and I also provide ears 2| cut from the base IS and extending downwardly. These ears 2l extend through the sheet 22 forming the front of theI body of the folder Ii] and are bent parallel to the base I6 as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing, to clamp the slide i3 securely in the desired position on the front of the folder.

Within the slide formed by the base I I3, and

l'fus the opposed flanges I1, I provide the guiding end 23 of the spring member I4. This guide end 23 as illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawing, extends virtually the internal width of the slide I3, the side edges 24 of the end 23 extending closely adjacent the anges I'I. As this end 23 is substantially wider than the space between the flanges I'I, this end 23 securely anchors the portion I4 of the snap fastener in position in the slide.

The spring portion I4 is provided with an upwardly extending arcuated portion 25 adjacent the end 23 and terminates in a spring end portion 26, the function of which will be later described. The portion I5 of the snap fastener is connected to the spring portion I4 by extending the end 26 through a suitable opening 2l! in the portionA I5. This portion I5 comprises a substantially flat plate portion 29 connected to a second substantially atportion 33 which is angularly disposed with respect to the part 29. A hump 3| is provided between the portions 29 and 30 which hump prevents the cover of the folder from sliding downwardly upon the portion 30.

The extreme edge 32 of the portion 33 is bent I upwardly slightly to enable the portion to be easily engaged. When the portion I5 of the snap closure is engaged with the spring portion I4thereof, and' this portion I4 is slidab-ly engaged in the slide I3, as illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the portion of the plate 29 between the aperture 2'I and the edge 33 of this plate extends substantially parallel with the upper `surfaces of the flanges I'I when the member I5 is in open position. This is illustrated clearly in Figure 2 of the drawing. The member I5 is sufficiently wide to overlie both of the flanges I1. When the snap fastener is in the position illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing, this closure may be readily slid throughout the length of the slide I3. In this Way, the member I5 may be moved into proper position to extend through the opening 34 in the cover flap II.

In order to hold the cover flap in closed position, the member I5 is engaged and is pivoted into the position illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawing. The portion of the plate 29 between the opening 21 and the edge 33 acts to engage the arcuated portion 25 of the spring member I4, thus tending to raise the spring end 26 of this member. The edge 33 of the member I5 engages the top of the flanges I1 and the plate 29 adjacent the opening 21 engages the arcuated portion 25. The raising of the arcuated portion 25 acts to wedge the guide portion 23 of the spring member I4 in the space between the anges I1 and the base I6 and draws the spring end 26 adjacent the cover flap II. The plate 30 of the snap member I5 overlies the cover II opposite the spring end 26 and the cover flap is clamped between these two members. The hump or ridge 3l engages the cover flap II adjacent the opening 34 and prevents movement of the cover II with respect to the snap member I5. When the fastener B is in the position illustrated in Figure Z of the drawing, it is obvious that the slidable portions comprising members I4 and I5 may freely slide beneath the flanges Il. However, when in the position illustrated in Figure 3, the guide portion 23 is wedged between the flanges I'I and the base I6 and the member I5 is wedged between the arcuated portion 25 and the flanges I'I, thus holding these members securely in adjusted position.

In Figure 8 of the drawing, I disclose a slightly different form of construction. In this form, the slide I3 is identical to that which has been described, having a base I6 and opposed flanges I'I and the spring member I4 is also identical to that described and accordingly the same numbers have been used to designate the various parts thereof. The fastener member corresponding to the member I5, however, has been changed and this member I5 is provided with a hook end which engages the outer edge of the spring member 26. It is understood that the opening 34 through the cover flap I I is suliiciently close to the edge thereof to permit the member I5 to extend. beyond the edge of the same so that the hook end 35 will snap into engagement with the end of the spring portion 26 of the member I4 and lock the members I4' and I5 together.

In Figure 9 I illustrate a slightly modified form of construction. In this construction, the slidable snap fastener comprises a pair of members 33 and 40. The member 39 is provided with a guiding portion 4I, an arcuated portion 42, and a spring end 43, corresponding to the elements cation,however, the extreme end 44 of the spring member 43 is bent upwardly as illlustrated, and

the end of the cover flap I I extends adjacent this upturned edge 44. The snap member 4I) is constructed identical to the construction of the member I5 and when in closed position contacts the upturned Aend 44. The marginal edge of the cover flap I I is thus supported in position between the members and the spring end 43 and is held by the end flange 44 from slipping out of place. Y

The operation of my device will be clearly apparent from the foregoing description. The cover flap II is folded over the body I0 and the position of the fastener member I5 is adjusted when in this open position. When the memberv I5 is in proper position extending through the opening 34, this member I5 is plvoted into the position illustrated in Figure 3, locking the member I4 from movement in the slide I3 and the spring tension of the member I4 holding the member I5 in closed position;

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction of my closure fastener, and while I Vhave endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that this is only illustrative of a means of carrying out my invention and that obvious changes' may be made within the scope of the following claims Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

l. A fastener including a guideway, a latching means slidably mounted on said guideway, cooperating means on said guideway and said latching means to retain said latching means on said guideway, said guideway being smooth and unobstructed throughout a range of movement of said latching means, whereby said latching means `may be moved to any desired position throughout said range, said latching means including an upwardly extending loop of resilient'rnateriaL'a feo.

locking lever pivotally supported on said loop, v

ing lever against said guideway to resist movement in either direction. l

2. A fastener including a guideway, a latching means slidably mounted on said guideWay,coop.-

erating means on said guideway and said latching means for holding said latching means on said guideway, said guideway being smooth and unobstructed throughout a range of movement of said latching means, whereby said latching means may be moved to any desired position throughout said range, said latching means including locking lever provided with means to grip said guideway, and resilient means on said latching means pivotally supporting said locking lever to resiliently urge said lever against said guideway.

3. A fastener including a guideway, a resilient latching means slidably mounted on said guideway, cooperating means on said guideway and said latching means to retain said latching means on said guideway, said latching means including a locking lever pivotally mounted near one end thereof, said one end of said lever provided with means to grip said guideway and retain said latching means in place, and hook means on the other end of said lever contacting said latcliing means.

4. A fastener including a guideway, a resilient latching means slidably mounted on said guideway, cooperating means on said guideway and said latching means to retain said latching means on said guideway, said guideway being smooth and unobstructed throughout a range of movement of said latching means, whereby said latching means may be moved to any desired position throughout said range, said latching means including means mounted thereuponto bend said latching means resiliently flexing the same and to grip said guideway and retain said latching means in position thereupon.

5. A fastener including a guideway, a latching means slidably mounted on said guideway, cooperating means on said guideway and said latching means to retain said latching means on said guideway, said latching means including a body formed of resilient material, having said cooperating means thereupon, and a lever pivoted to said body provided with means to grip said guideway to retain said latching vmeans in adjusted position thereon, the resiliency of said body urging said lever against said guideway under spring tension.

6. A fastener including a guideway, a latching means including a body of resilient material slidably mounted on said guideway, cooperating means on said guideway and on one end of said body to retain said latching means on said guide- Way, the other end of said body being free of said guideway, said latching means also including a locking lever pivotally mounted on v said other end of said body and urged by the resilience of said body against said guideway.

'7. A fastener including a guideway, a latching means slidably mounted on said guideway, cooperating means on said guideway and said latching means for holding said latching means on said guideway, said guideway being smooth and unobstructed throughout a range of movement of said latching means, whereby said latching means may be moved to any desired position throughout said range, said latching means including a body portion including said cooperating means, and a locking lever pivoted to said body portion to pivot between a position projecting outwardly from said body portion and a position substantially flat and parallel said body portion, and means on said lever clamping said guideway when said lever is pivoted into said last named position and relatively free of said guide- Way in said rst named position.

8. A fastener including a guideway, a latching means slidably mounted on said guideway, cooperating means on said guideway and said latching means for holding said latching means on said` guideway, said guideway being smooth and unobstructed throughout a range of movement of said latching means, whereby said latching means may be moved to any desired position throughout said range, said latching means including a body portion including said cooperating means, and a locking lever pivotally secured at one end to said body portion and having a free "'end movable between two positions, in one of said positions extending outwardly from said body portion and guideway, and in the other position substantially flat with relation to said body portion and guideway, said one end of said lever clamping said guideway in said last named position.

9. A fastener including a guideway, a latching means slidably mounted on said guideway, cooperating means on said guideway and said latching means for holding said latching means on said guideway, said guideway being smooth and unobstructed throughout a range of movement of said latching means, whereby said latching means may be moved to any desired position throughout said range, said latching means including a body portion including said' cooperating means, and a locking lever pivotally secured at one end to said body, said one end of said lever pivotal between a position substantially parallel to said guideway and a position at a considerable angle to said guideway to clamp said guideway in said last named position.

10. A fastener including a guideway, a resilient latching means slidably mounted on said guideway, said latching means including a body, cooperating means on said body and said guideway for holding said latching means on said guideway, resilient loop means on said body, a locking lever having an end interposed between said. loop means and said guideway, pivotally supporting said lever, said end flexing said resilient loop means in. one position thereof to clamp said end against said guideway, and decreasing tension on said loop in another position thereof to permit sliding of said latching means on said guide- Way.

11. A fastener for a folder having a perforated closing flap including a guideway on said folder, a resilient latching means slidably mounted on said guideway, said latching means including a body, cooperating means on said body and said guideway for holding said latching means on said v guideway, resilient loop means on said body, a locking lever designed to extend through the perforation on said closing ap pivotally supported l on said loop means and having an end thereon interposed between said loop means and said guideway, said end exing said resilient loop in WILLIAM DAY FRITZ. 

